Shula: 'We Were The Best Ever'

Sunday Special - Q and A with Don Shula

September 13, 1992|By Jerry Greene of The Sentinel Staff

The Sentinel: How do you feel about the 1972 season?

Don Shula: I loved every minute of it and still do. There's no question it was the most enjoyable year I've had in coaching - for two reasons. The main reason, of course, is that it was a great team accomplishment, one that was not done before and has not been done since.

Q: And the other reason?

A: It took me off the hook. I was going into the Super Bowl at 0-2 and didn't want to be 0-3. If we had ended 16-1 instead of 17-0, people would have said I couldn't win the big one and actually thought of me as a loser. That would have been hard to live with, but things worked out.

Q: While your memories of 1972 are pleasant, you have been irritated by the way others have viewed that team, haven't you?

A: Yes. NFL films didn't pick us as the best team ever. In my mind, I don't know how anyone else can be chosen over us, whether it's by computer ratings, objective ratings or whatever. How could they say some other team beat us when no other team did?

Q: You're talking about the NFL Films series on HBO in 1988 called ''The Dream Season,'' right? It ended with the 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers beating your '72 Dolphins on the mythical game's last play, 21-20. You didn't agree with that?

A: I couldn't understand it then and still don't now. How can you do any more than our team did? How can you be better than perfect? It had to be the best team ever, not only record-wise but based on the way we played, too.

Q: The writers who choose who gets into the Hall of Fame haven't been awed by the team either. Only four players - quarterback Bob Griese, fullback Larry Csonka, wide receiver Paul Warfield and center Jim Lander - are in the Hall. Do others deserve to be inducted?

A: I certainly think so. (Linebacker) Nick Buoniconti, (guard) Bob Kuechenberg, perhaps the safeties (Dick Anderson and Jake Scott), and probably some others, too. Hopefully, more will be recognized. As the years go on, more and more people will have to realize what an accomplishment this is.

Q: Still, someone may equal it. Other teams in recent years have come close, so do you think anyone else will have a perfect season?

A: Somebody might do it. The Bears almost did it that one year (16-1 in 1985, losing only to Miami when they were 12-0), the 49ers and Giants were close (10-0 each) two years ago and Washington almost did it last year (11-0).

Q: Who might do it this year, not counting the Dolphins, of course?

A: Washington still looks awfully strong, but they are in a tough division. (This comment was made before Dallas beat Washington on the season's first weekend.)

Q: At least until somebody does duplicate the undefeated season, what does it signify?